John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 46:8

"Remember this, and show yourselves men; bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors." — Isaiah 46:8 (ASV)

Remember this. This verse may be explained in two ways: either the Lord addresses the Jews, or He addresses the Gentiles. People who are not well instructed in the Law are often led into mistakes because they extinguish the knowledge that God kindles in their hearts. Indeed, there is no person who does not have some seed of religion implanted in them by nature, but humans choke it by their unbelief, or corrupt and debase it by their inventions. For this reason, we might extend this to the whole human race.

However, I am more inclined to adopt a different opinion, which the context also demands. The Prophet will soon after add what applies only to the Jews, whom he calls transgressors, because, having been overcome by a slight temptation, they revolted from the true God—as if captivity should have obliterated from their hearts all the benefits He had bestowed on them. Therefore, since they had rejected the true religion, he sharply rebukes their ingratitude for being so easily led away to sinful inventions.

Return to the heart. By giving them this command, he means that they are not thinking clearly. Others translate it as “Recall.” This is weak and inappropriate, as a little earlier, he had told them to remember, and will immediately repeat the same thing. Now, therefore, he instead tells them to “return to the heart,” because forgetfulness of God’s benefits was a kind of madness.

Blush. Others translate it as, “Act a manly part,” and derive the word from איש (ish). Others derive it from אשיש (ashish), which means “a foundation,” as if he were saying, “Take courage, do not despair of my assistance.” But I rather agree with Jerome, who derives it from אש (esh); for it is more appropriate, when their disgrace has been exposed, to “be ashamed” than to assume manly courage, although I leave it to everyone to form their own judgment. He therefore means that they blush for their madness, ingratitude, and wickedness, in order to return to God.